Chiang Rai & Golden Triangle
Why go?
The growing town of Chiang Rai is bidding to rival Chiang Mai as
the base for upmarket treks and tours in northern Thailand –
but so far without success. The town itself lacks the charm, the
history and the endless craft and clothes shops of its big brother.
But the surrounding area, insistently (and inexplicably) dubbed
'The Golden Triangle', continues to draw coachloads of Thai and
farang visitors, attracted by the proximity of Burma and
Laos (just across the fabled Mekhong River), and the seedy history
of opium trading.
Most of them visit the excellent new Opium Museum in Chiang Saen,
buy a few handicrafts in Chiang Rai, and are then whisked away to
their next port of call. But there's more to it than that. Please
see our Top Tips.